Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, officially known as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is a country in the northern edge of South America, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It shares maritime boundaries with other nations including Barbados to the northeast, Grenada to the northwest, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west.

City of Port of Spain is the capital while San Fernando City is the largest city of Trinidad and Tobago.

In Trinidad and Tobago, 55% of the population follows Christianity while over 18% follow Hinduism and 5 % follow Islam.

Over 35% of the population of the country is Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian i.e, they are of Indian or other South Asian ancestry. Hence people of this region celebrate the fesitval of Diwali.

Diwali Celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago :

In Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali is celebrated as a National Holiday. Here communities from all over the islands get together and celebrate the festival.

Just like in India, people of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate Diwali by decorating their homes with lights and diyas. During Diwali, people wear new clothes, eat lots of sweets and delicious food, burst firecrackers, spent time with friends and family members, etc.

They also visit temples and seek blessings of god and goddesses.

One major celebration that stands out is the Diwali celebration that takes place in Diwali Nagar, or Village of the Festival of Lights. It features stage performances by the east Indian cultural practitioners, a folk theatre featuring skits and plays, an exhibition on some aspect of Hinduism, displays by various Hindu religious sects and social organisations, nightly worship of Lakshmi, lighting of deeyas, performances by various schools related to Indian culture, and a food court with Indian and non-Indian vegetarian delicacies. The festival culminates with fireworks displays ushering in Diwali.